Allergy

Allergy is the result of reactions that occur between the immune system of the human and the outside substances. The substances may look very harmless but the pain and the irritation can cause severe discomfort. The symptoms of allergy will vary from red eyes, itching, and eczema. The common allergy is due to dust particles, when it comes in contact with our external organs like eyes or nose and internal organs like lungs.... Read More

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Allergies are atypical reactions of the immune system that occur in response to otherwise harmless substances. Allergy is the most widespread disease in the world. The immune system responds to foreign microbes or particles by producing some proteins called antibodies. These antibodies are able to bind to identifying molecules, or antigens present on the foreign particle. This reaction between antibody and antigen sets off a series of chemical reactions intended to protect the body from infection.

Sometimes, this same series of reactions is triggered by harmless, everyday substances such as pollens, dust, and animal dander (loose scales of skin shed from the body of animals or from feathers). When this occurs, an allergy develops against the offending substance called the “allergen”. So an allergen is the substance that provokes allergy.

COMMON ALLERGENS

1. Air borne allergens:

Animal fur and dander

Body parts from house mites

Plant pollens

House dust

Cigarette smoke

Solvents

Mold spores

Microbes etc.

2. Food allergens:

Cow’s milk

Egg

Cashew

Soy

Peanut

Wheat

Fish etc.

3. Medication allergens:

Penicillin and other antibiotics

Flu vaccines

Tetanus vaccine

Gamma globulin

4. Insects and arthropods:

Bees , wasps, hornets

Fleas

Mosquitoes

5. Contact dermatitis allergens:

Nickel alloys

Latex

poison ivy, oak, sumac

SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES

Symptoms of air borne allergies:

The dust, pollens, smoke, pet fur and dander may cause a slight to severe coughing and sneezing in mild cases but in extreme conditions it can cause dangerous breathing problems such as bronchitis and asthmatic attack.

Symptoms of food allergies:

Continuous wheezing and stomach pain along with nausea vomiting is the major symptom of food allergy. Eczema, bronchitis and asthma like symptoms can also be seen.

Symptoms of medication allergy:

The drugs or antibiotics cause severe skin rashes or hives along with itchy skin, swelling of body parts and severe conditions like anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of allergy due to insect sting and bites:

Harsh conditions may show symptoms of anaphylaxis, breathing problems and hives. Swelling at the site of attack is one of the most common symptom along with this dizziness, unconsciousness, swelling of tongue and cardiac attack are the signs which happens in severe conditions.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis:

The symptoms include itchy red skin, small bumps which are filled with fluid which oozes out .Sometimes various blisters can be seen which burns.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

If you have an allergy, you should tell your doctor about the symptoms you are having, the time when they happen, how often they occur and what seems to trigger them. Then your doctor may conduct out tests to identify the allergen that is causing your symptoms. The type of test you are presented will depend on your symptoms, the condition of your skin and any medicines you are taking along with it.

The common test includes:

Skin prick test

Test is generally the first test which is done while looking for an allergen. The skin is pricked with a small amount of the suspected allergen to see if there is a reaction. If there is, then the skin around the prick will very quickly become itchy, red and swollen.

This testing is considered very safe and can be used on any age group, including babies as the test introduces such a tiny amount of allergen into the skin. It is not be suitable if you have severe eczema or if you are taking any antihistamines.

Blood test

This test is very apt way for measuring the of IgE antibodies in your blood that is produced by your immune system in response to a suspected allergen. The results are given on a scale from zero to six.

Zero =negative result

Six =extremely high sensitivity.

Blood tests are predominantly useful when you are at risk of an extreme reaction or when a rare allergen is suspected.

Patch test

The test is utilized to find an allergen causing eczema. A very small amount of the suspected allergen is added to a special metal discs, which are then taped to your skin for 48 hours and monitored for a reaction. This test is mostly carried out at a dermatology (skin) department in a hospital.

TREATMENT AND CONTROL

MEDICATION

EXAMPLE

USAGE

Antihistamines

Oral

Cetirizine,Desloratadine, Fexofenadine

reduce inflammation and swelling

Nasal

Olopatadine(drops),Ofloxacin, Azelastine (spray)

Eye drop

Ketotifen, Pheniramine, Emedastine

Decongestants

Oral

Pseudoephedrine

are used for quick ,brief relief of congestion

Nasal

Phenylephrine, Oxymetazoline

Salmeterol

Eye drop

Tetrahydrozoline ,Naphazoline

Others

Montelukast, Cromolyn

Mast cell stabilizer(MCS)

Eye drops: Lodoxamide, Nedocromil, Pemirolast

target leukotriene receptors to reduce allergic symptoms

Emergency

Epinephrine shots

used to treat anaphylaxis

The above given table describes a range of drugs and the classes they belong to along with the different forms available like pills, liquids, inhalers, nasal and eye drops, skin creams and shots (injections).

HOW TO PREVENT ALLERGIES?

Limit your exposure to allergens

Enforce restricted contact to animal /pet

Wear personal protective equipment like masks to avoid triggers

Use of good personal hygiene:

Always wash hands after coming in contact with animals and before leaving the laboratory or in any other way when you come closer to animals

Do not eat, drink, smoke, handle contact lenses, use cosmetics in work areas and wash your hands before engaging in any of these activities

Wash your bedding in hot water (130 to 140 degrees) once a week to kill dust mites. Freezing bedding overnight will also destroy the mites

Follow proper clean housekeeping measures

Pay attention to pollen counts. Try to stay indoors when the pollen count is highest, generally in the early morning. Levels are lower in late afternoons and after a soaking shower of rain

Keep away from the thing that causes stress

In houses maintain humidity above 50 degrees

Limit exposure to smoke during pregnancy, after delivery and breast feeding

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Medication orders are filled and shipped from approved fulfilment centers around the world including, but not limited to, India, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Mauritius and the United States. The items in your order may be filled and shipped from any one of the above jurisdictions. The products are sourced from various countries as well as those listed above. All of our affiliated fulfilment centers have been approved by the regulatory bodies from their respective countries.